Out For A Sunday Drive

Since the footing still really in't solid enough to get the horses out yet, D and I have been doing some day-trips for humans-only on the weekends, just to get out and about and explore a bit.  Sunday, we decided to drive out to the Little Sahara Recreation Area to the south and slightly west of us.

The Little Sahara is approximately 6000 acres of BLM land that are dune fields deposited by the Sevier River on its path to what was Lake Bonneville, 15,000 years ago.  Because of the way the mountains funnel the wind through that area, the dunes are constantly shifting and moving.  The area is now set up for "recreation" and by that, I should caution that this mostly means ATV/OHV vehicles.  It's not very busy right now (which is why we went), but I can only imagine the noise and dust generated here in the warmer months.  The campgrounds, scattered throughout the road-accessible areas of the park, must be jam-packed.

The nicest part of the drive was actually the access road on the way in.  The sand is currently covered with a light layer of snow, so there are tons of criss-crossing animal tracks, and we saw 2 juvenile bald eagles.  The BLM ranger told us they are migrating right now, and the youngsters obviously were busy looking for food.  No pics from me, sadly, as they were too far away for my little camera.

Our first stop was the area around the White Sands Dunes, where there are rolling dunes and small riding bowls.  Here's a picture of the dunes just as you step out of the parking area:

And a picture facing out towards the east and the Black Mountains. (You can still see how hazy it is even though we were outside the city.)

The primary attraction for most visitors to this area is Sand Mountain.  This is an almost 700-foot wall of sand.  It is about a 45-degree angle to get to the top, and we watched several of the ATV'ers have their machines bog out and have to turn and come back down without being able to climb the entire hill.  (Click to enlarge and you'll see a few ATV riders included for scale.)

My favorite part of the park, however, are the old juniper trees.  They were loaded with berries and I love the twisted, striated bark.

A nice tour.  I wouldn't go out there when the place was at peak, but it was fun to see the dunes and walk in the sand while there is still snow on the ground.

All for now....

Comments

[Cathy]

I have to tell you I missed your frequent posts when you were swamped at work. We haven't gotten out for any drives or walks due to the weather so I am really having to live vicariously.

[susan]

You were wise to go now. In the summer it's madness. People are riding ATVs everywhere, and not paying much attention.

[margene]

They said the inversion reached to Delta. I see that's true. It must have been so peaceful!

[Marcia]

Another example of the incredible variety of Utah terrain! I'll never forget the first time I saw the Book Cliffs or Arches, and now sand dunes!

[AmyP]

The landscape seems so alien to my eyes! I'm used to not being able to see the edge of the world!

[Sheepish Annie]

Lovely pictures. That is the bluest sky I've seen in quite a while!

[Karen]

Beautiful pictures! I love sand dunes and haven't seen them for real in a long, long time. It sounds like a lovely day!